Friday, January 08, 2010

India to take on Afghanistan in ICC U-19 WC opener

Defending champions India will start their campaign in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup with match against Afghanistan to be held in New Zealand on 15th January.

India is placed in the Group A with Afghanistan, England and Hong Kong as other teams in the group. Indian team will be favorite for qualifying to the next round as both Afghanistan and Hong Kong are participating for the first time, while English players have struggled with their form in the recent few months.

India had defeated South Africa in the final to lift the title of ICC U-19 World Cup in 2008 at Kuala Lumpur. India had won this crown twice in 2000 and 2008, while they had finished runners-up in2006.

Indian team led by all-rounder Ashok Menaria came to New Zealand after an emphatic title win in the tri-nation series in South Africa.India remained unbeaten in the tri-series including South Africa and Sri Lanka.